Mark Cavendish's departure from Quick Step Alfavinir at the end of the season has been almost confirmed by team manager Patrick Lefebvre.

The British sprinter was on the verge of retirement until he successfully resurrected his career with the Belgian team in 2021.

But it will almost certainly be with another team.

"He won't stay. It's impossible. It's impossible," Lefevere told the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport (open in new tab).

Cavendish was with Quick-Step from 2013 to 2015, winning 15 races in two and a half years, four stages and the green jersey at the 2021 Tour de France.

He credited his team for his comeback, but didn't get a chance to beat it this year as he tied with Eddy Merckx for most Tour de France stage wins and Lefebvre chose Fabio Jacobsen for the sprinter's spot.

While Jacobsen is perceived as the "future" of the team, Cavendish was forced to look elsewhere, hiring a new agent to find a good contract for 2023.

"I know he wants to race two more years, but he is not part of our project," Lefebvre said.

"It hurts my heart," Lefebvre admitted. 'But there comes a time sometimes when you have to thank him for everything he has done for the team.'

Cavendish had signed a one-year contract with Quick Step for 2021, but negotiations for a contract extension and upgrade were protracted last winter following his success in the Tour de France.

Lefebvre noted that Cavendish, who eventually signed for another year, wanted to serve in a backroom staff role after his final racing season. However, that did not seem to happen.

Lefebvre has already backed Jacobsen as the team's lead sprinter and plans to acquire Tim Merlier from Alpecin Desseuninck in 2023.